Free From Darkness Won by Jill Williamson

presence had been rumor, as well.”
    “Vrell was dressed as a boy,” Jax said.
    “Wait.” Sir Rigil’s gaze fixed on Vrell. “Surely not!”
    Vrell cringed, wishing Jax had not opened the door to that henhouse.
    “My dear lady Averella, please tell me that it was not you t raveling with the prince as his squire and healer?”
    Vrell’s stomach clenched. She should not allow Sir Rigil to shame her. None of this was his concern. She straightened, which made her side throb. “If you do not wish to hear the truth, Sir Rigil, then do not ask questions.”
    Sir Rigil balked. “Your mother knows of this?”
    “I thought you did not want to know.”
    “That all this time… ? Does Master Rennan know?”
    She sighed. “He did not. But I assure you he now—”
    “How very like a woman, constructing a fortress of falsehoods.” Sir Rigil looked away, brooding. “No thought as to what poor soul might be ensnared along the way.”
    Bitter anger surged up in Vrell. “And what poor soul have I ensnared by my fortress of falsehoods , Sir Rigil?”
    “Besides our future king? Master Rennan is my charge. I must ask why you did not tell him of this charade.”
    “It was not my charade, Sir Rigil. Not at first, anyway. My mother and your aunt arranged it. Mother sent me to Walden’s Watch, and Lady Coraline dressed me as a stray boy so Prince Gidon—so Esek —would not be able to find me. I had but one instruction: tell no one of my true identity until it was safe to do so. Yet no one foresaw that Macoun Hadar would sense my bloodvoice and claim me as his apprentice. Under the circumstances, I have done my best.”
    “But in Mahanaim! Master Rennan and I stood beside you. We spoke to you! You needed only look our way. We would have… My lady, I should have known. How could I have missed it?”
    Vrell relaxed and took a deep breath, easing the pain in her side. For Sir Rigil was not scolding her but himself. “I do not blame you for not recognizing me, Sir Rigil. I am plain as it is. This helped me escape notice. And without a dress, it seems, I was not at all feminine.”
    “I hear the prince pines away for you. Whilst he is engaged to… to you!” Sir Rigil’s eyes were wide. “Why let him suffer so? My dear lady, I never thought you so heartless.”
    Now he was scolding her. His stern expression stung like shards of glass on the backs of her eyes. She sought a dignified response, but emotion took over. “Your opinion of my heart is nothing I care to hear, Sir Rigil.”
    “Please, my lady. If you have no feeling in your heart, I pray you have mercy on his.”
    “His heart flutters about as much as yours. How am I to trust the word of a man who is enamored with a different woman every day?”
    “Such accusations are beneath you, Lady Averella.”
    The truth of Vrell’s heart? It felt like it was being wrung like a wet rag. This was not fair. She had known Achan only three months, and his head had been turned more times than she could count. How could she believe he truly loved her?
    None of that mattered at the moment. “Your opinion has been noted.” She shifted on the chair to face Jax. “Shall I bring my own armor, Jax? Do you expect any resistance on your journey?”
    Jax’s eyes shifted away. “Forgive me, Vrell, but Prince Oren requests you remain here with your mother.”
    Vrell stood, which put her at eye level with Jax. “That is impossible. I wish to use my healing gifts to assist in the coming war. I cannot do that from Carmine.”
    Jax would not meet her gaze. “Prince Oren says the coming battle is no place for a lady. He said with all you’ve been through, he’s surprised you’d ask to leave again.”
    “Leave?” Sir Rigil stared up at Vrell. “Lady Averella, what are you thinking?”
    “I am thinking of serving my prince.”
    “To serve your— My lady, the truth would serve him best.”
    “Sir Rigil, you are not my father. You have no right to lecture me so.”
    “Well, someone